The Invest in You Clinical Workforce Training program by NJPN and NJ-DMHAS offers professional development opportunities and certifications for individuals of all career levels. The general stages of addiction counseling certification are:

Step 1: Obtaining an ADC intern position.

• Your journey to credential begins with securing an ADC (Alcohol Drug Counselor) internship at a DMHAS (Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services) licensed SUD (Substance Use Disorder) Treatment Agency.

Step 2: Approval of Proposed Plan of Supervision with DCA-ADCC.

• You will need to submit your application for your Plan of Supervision through DCA-ADCC.

Step 3: Sign up with NJPN for Training and Complete Coursework.

• NJPN offers initial addiction counseling certification or licensure courses that fulfill all educational hours by the state of NJ.

Step 4: Earn your Certification or License by Passing Your Exam.

• In order to practice as a certified or licensed addiction professional in NJ, you must pass the oral and written alcohol drug counselor exams. 

Step 5: Maintaining Your Credentials.

• NJPN makes it easy to keep your certification or license current with our mandatory and advanced renewal continuing education trainings.  

Specialize: Nurture the Next Generation by Becoming a Certified Clinical Supervisor or Addiction Course Trainer.

• Clinical Supervision: Invest in yourself and your community to a greater degree by becoming a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) for the next generation of addiction professionals.

• NJPN Addiction Course Trainer: Help expand the substance misuse treatment and recovery workforce—join the NJPN Clinical Workforce team as an “Invest in You” course trainer for our L/CADC students.

The educational requirements for the LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor) and CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)—N.J.A.C. 13:34C-2.3—both require 270 hours of alcohol and drug education. 

• The CADC requires a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree or a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. 

• The LCADC (N.J.A.C. 13:34C-2.3b) must possess a master’s degree or a doctorate in addictions or a counseling-related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. 

• Both credentials require similar hours of supervised practice.

The CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) certification and the LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor) license are both granted by the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs, State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners’ Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee (ADCC/the Committee) to alcohol and drug counselors in the State of New Jersey. 

The primary difference between the CADC and the LCADC is that the LCADC is permitted to conduct unsupervised independent practice whereas the CADC is required to practice under the supervision of an approved supervisor. Both the LCADC and the CADC can make assessments; however, the CADC cannot make diagnoses. LCADCs are permitted to supervise CADCs, alcohol and drug counselor interns, and credentialed interns; the CADC cannot supervise.

If you are ineligible for scholarships, then yes, there are certain courses that may have a fee. Read about scholarships to understand if you are eligible.

Tuition-Based courses are available for professionals who do not meet scholarship requirements. These professionals may include: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs).

To qualify for a scholarship, students must work at a Division of Mental Health and Addiction Service (DMHAS) licensed substance use disorder (SUD) treatment agency, as these scholarships are funded by DMHAS. For those pursuing initial licensure or certification as a Licensed/Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (L/CADC), students must have an active proposed supervision plan and be in a clinical role that provides experience in the 12 core competencies.

DMHAS is the state mental health authority (SMHA) and the Single State Authority on Substance Abuse (SSA) that plans, monitors, and evaluates New Jersey's mental health and substance use prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery efforts. DMHAS does not grant licenses or certification to alcohol and drug counselors. However, DMHAS does publish residential and outpatient treatment regulations that detail the qualifications required to work at a DMHAS-licensed facility.